An investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office has led to the arrest of a former assistant manager at the Schoharie County ARC, who has been accused of stealing money from developmentally disabled ARC residents' personal allowance accounts.
On Monday, Dec. 16, 31-year-old Samantha Cross was arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree falsifying business records, both class E felonies. According to a press release from Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office, Cross used the personal accounts of ARC residents to buy herself over $1,000 worth of items between November 2011 and November 2012, including cell phones, calling cards, iTunes gift cards and groceries.
The investigation was carried out after the Schoharie County ARC alerted Schneiderman's office to the alleged thefts, said Schoharie ARC director Anthony Alvarez in an interview with the Watershed Post.
In December of 2012, Alvarez said, the ARC conducted an internal investigation into the misappropriation of funds from residents' accounts. As a result of the internal investigation, two staffers who had been working for the ARC for several years were fired, one of whom was Cross. Alvarez then notified Schneiderman's office, he said.
"I was concerned that a further investigation might be warranted," he said. "We contacted the A.G.'s office, and that resulted in the arrest and criminal charges. We also began to strengthen our internal controls to further safeguard personal consumer accounts [of residents]."
ARC officials became aware of the problem when a staff member noticed that cigarettes had been purchased for a resident who had recently been given a nicotine patch to help him quit smoking, Alvarez said.
"It made no sense. Why would we be buying him cigarettes if we're trying to help him stop smoking?" Alvarez said. "One thing led to another."
In the wake of the thefts, the ARC has stepped up its oversight of purchases made for residents. Alvarez also said that residents who have had funds stolen from their personal accounts have been reimbursed.
In the news release about Cross's arrest, Schneiderman condemned the alleged thefts:
“There are few acts more reprehensible than taking advantage of individuals with disabilities,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “The fact that these residents were victimized by the very person who had been entrusted with their care makes this even more disturbing. We’ll continue to hold people like Samantha Cross accountable and ensure that anyone who preys upon vulnerable New Yorkers is brought to justice.”
Alvarez agreed. "It truly is reprehensible that an employee entrusted with the care and treatment of vulnerable people would victimize them. We're most appreciative of the A.G.'s investigation," he said.
If convicted, Cross faces from one and one-third to four years in prison.
